Carnival News: Breeze Updates, Horizon Waterworks, New Bahamian Destination & More

Here are some quick news updates from our friends at Carnival Cruise Line. We’re proud to have three Carnival ships sailing year-round from Texas, with Carnival Vista arriving next year.

Carnival Breeze is Out of Dry Dock With New Spaces

Carnival knows how much Texans love Bar-B-Que, so they’ve added Guy’s Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse to Carnival Breeze! And that’s not all, Alchemy Bar is also new for those that like to quench their thirst with creative cocktails in a unique setting!

Guy’s Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse is an open-air, free-of-charge venue offering a menu of authentic BBQ favorites developed by celebrity chef Guy Fieri. You can choose from an array of menu choices like Championship Pork Butt, Blue Ribbon Chicken, smoked Andouille sausage and Sliced Smoked Round of Beef. Best of all, guests can complement their meal with traditional sides like Mac Daddy Mac n Cheese, Old Skool Potato Salad, Scratch-Made Slaw, Collard Greens with Smoked Turkey, and Molasses Baked Beans, along with a variety of the chef’s signature BBQ sauces and a hot sauce bar.

Those that enjoy hand-crafted cocktails will love Alchemy Bar, one of the most popular bar concepts in the cruise industry! It’s a “cocktail pharmacy” themed lounge with mixologists that wear lab coats while entertaining you by making concoctions with different elixirs and ingredients, all with creative names.

Carnival Horizon to Feature Dr. Seuss WaterWorks Park

Did you hear the news about the new family friendly space that will debut on Carnival Horizon when it sets sail April 2, 2018? This new feature will be a first for the Carnival fleet – A Dr. Seuss themed WaterWorks Park!

Both children and the young at heart can look forward to having a splash-tastic time at Dr. Seuss WaterWorks, which will include two very cool and unique slides, fun-filled water toys, and more, all drawing inspiration from the legendary children’s book author.

You’ll have a hard time deciding which slide to try first! The Cat in the Hat Slide will take fun-seekers on a raft down more than 450 feet of heart-racing twists and turns with a cool red and white color pattern inspired by the Cat’s famous red and white hat. The Fun Things Slide will be decorated with whimsical polka dots and very cool lighting effects. This enclosed slide is named after the mischievous duo Thing 1 and Thing 2 and takes thrill-seekers down 213 feet of exhilarating all-ages fun.

Guests will also be eager to try the new 150-gallon water tipping bucket shaped like The Cat’s hat and a splash zone with dozens of water spray toys, with larger-than-life images of famous Dr. Seuss characters displayed throughout the park!

The second of three ships in the Vista class, Carnival Horizon will include many of your favorites from Carnival Vista such as Dr. Seuss Bookville, SkyRide™, the IMAX® Theatre, Havana staterooms, Family Harbor cabins and more unique features to be announce soon. Stay tuned for the latest about Carnival Horizon!

Carnival to Develop New Bahamian Cruise Destination on Grand Bahama Island

An exciting new destination is coming to the Bahamas. Here’s the official announcement directly from Carnival:

Officials from Carnival Cruise Line and the Bahamian government signed an agreement today during a special signing ceremony in Freeport, Grand Bahama, for the construction of a new cruise port facility to be funded and operated by Carnival Cruise Line on Grand Bahama Island. The as-yet-unnamed planned port will be the largest purpose-built cruise facility ever constructed in The Bahamas and will take inspiration from the beauty of the Bahamian people and their islands. Features will include a one-mile stretch of beach, food, beverage and shopping outlets, a wide array of water-based amenities and other recreational facilities. The port will also feature a pier capable of accommodating two of Carnival’s largest cruise ships simultaneously and is expected to eventually host up to 1 million guests annually.

The multimillion-dollar project will provide a significant economic benefit for the country of The Bahamas, including many employment and economic opportunities throughout the development, construction and ongoing operation once completed.

“Carnival Cruise Line is the leader in year-round cruising to The Bahamas and this new development will not only provide a truly extraordinary and one-of-a-kind destination experience for our guests but it will further solidify our partnership with the people of The Bahamas,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “In 2017, along with Carnival’s sister lines, Carnival Corporation will bring close to 3 million guests to The Bahamas via calls to Nassau, Freeport, Grand Bahama, Half Moon Cay and Princess Cays, the latter two of which were developed and are operated by Carnival Corporation brands Holland America Line and Princess Cruises. Collectively, we represent the single largest cruise company investor in The Bahamas,” Duffy added.

During the signing ceremony, Carnival Corporation President and CEO Arnold Donald said, “When Ted Arison, the founder of Carnival and the modern day cruise industry, embarked on his first cruise, it was to The Bahamas. From that day until now, The Bahamas continues to be one of the most strategic and important destinations for our company.” Donald continued, “Signing this agreement today is especially meaningful to me, as we strive to further contribute to the prosperity of the people of The Bahamas through providing experiences that continue to exceed our guests’ expectations.”

Prime Minister the Right Honourable Perry G. Christie stated, “The Government of The Bahamas has had a long and close association with Carnival which has been of great economic benefit to both parties.” He continued, “This new cruise port initiative in East Grand Bahama will deliver a cruise port in the traditional sense, but more than that, its shore project will create a new ‘destination’ with a distinctive flavour and characteristics that offer the broadest Bahamian entrepreneurial and employment opportunities, representing another phase in the development of Grand Bahama as a viable tourist centre.”

The project is subject to a detailed public discussion process, environmental studies and permitting.

Sushi Lovers Rejoice! Sushi Pop-Up Venue Added to Four Ships

Bonsai Sushi has been such a popular venue on Carnival ships that they have decided to roll-out a pop-up style sushi venue on the Carnival Conquest, Carnival Valor, Carnival Liberty and Carnival Glory.

These stand-alone eateries are conveniently located on the Lido Deck of these four ships and offer a variety of fresh sushi, sashimi and rolls on an a la carte basis with prices ranging from $1.50 to $7.50.

Introducing ‘Carnival Playtime’ Featuring My Little Pony and Transformers

Carnival Imagination will serve as the venue for the first-ever “Carnival Playtime” event featuring fun activities and games inspired by the My Little Pony and Transformers TV and movie series. “Carnival Playtime” will take place on three- and four-day voyages of the Carnival Imagination departing Long Beach July 13 to September 17.

An expansion of the line’s Hasbro partnership, the interactive, fun-for-all “Carnival Playtime” activities will be patterned after popular My Little Pony and Transformers characters and will include midway-style games including Rainbow Dash’s cupcake toss, Knock out the Autobots and Target the Enemy, along with face-painting, prizes, music and more.

Character meet and greets will provide kids and parents alike with unforgettable photo opportunities with Transformers Optimus Prime and BumbleBee as well as My Little Pony’s Pinkie Pie and Twilight Sparkle. A special screening of Transformers: Age of Extinction movie will also be shown on board. All-new My Little Pony and Transformers-inspired activities will take place in Camp Ocean as well, creating special memories for younger cruisers.

Carnival Imagination’s schedule from Long Beach includes three-day cruises departing Thursdays to Ensenada and four-day voyages visiting Ensenada and Catalina Island.

For more information or to book your cruise, please visit our Carnival Cruise Line page.